9 appliances perfect for your tiny home or apartment

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The research shows that more and more Americans are moving into cities, living in small apartments and tiny homes, and generally less enamored with having lots of stuff.

The reasons for this are pretty varied. Older Americans seem to want a smaller home to make it easier to age in place, and young people want to live in cities, where space is at a premium. So it looks like downsizing is on the up and up.

But appliances can cause some headaches. In the kitchen, instead of dealing with straight square footage, counter space is the limiting factor. And the bathroom may not be large enough to accommodate a standard laundry set-up. That’s why there is a billion-dollar market for compact appliances.

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With so many choices, we decided to showcase some of the compact kitchen and home appliances that aced our lab tests well enough to stand up to their full-sized counterparts. You may have to give up a walk-in closet, but your kitchen can still can still bring its A game.

1. Samsung RT18M6215SG/AA refrigerator

Credit: Reviewed / Jackson Ruckar

The Samsung RT18M6215 is a small fridge that looks good and provides consistent temperatures.

Dimensions: 28.8” x 66.8” x 31.9” (W x H x D)

The Samsung RT18M6215G/AA is one of the most highly-rated apartment fridges we’ve ever tested. It excelled at maintaining consistent temperatures and looks stunning, all the while taking up only 6.38 sq. ft of floor space.

There are plenty of other small fridges out there, especially those with top freezers, but what sets this Samsung apart is the FlexZone. It allows the freezer to be converted into more fridge space. If you’re looking to live that fresh, farmers’ market lifestyle, you’re going to need more room for produce and less for frozen pizzas.

2. Danby compact refrigerator

Credit: Danby

Add a little style and color to your kitchen with the Danby DAR044A6LDB.

Dimensions: 33.07" x 20.75" x 21.3" (H x W x D)

If you want to go even smaller, Danby makes a fantastic mini-fridge. The Danby DAR044A6LDB is both a looker and a good performer. During testing, it kept consistent temperatures and delighted us with its angled can dispenser. You’ll also appreciate the brightly lit interior accompanied by glass shelves.

We think that the retro red exterior looks classy and will go with numerous home designs. Its 4.4-cubic-foot capacity is small, but that also means it can fit snugly under a counter.

3. Premier 20-inch electric range

Did you know that you can get a range with an oven that’s only 20 inches wide? That’s a savings of 10 inches of space compared to your standard slide-in range.

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The sacrifices are minimal. You still get four burners, a two-rack oven, and a storage bin at the bottom. The oven has a 2.4-cubic-foot capacity, which isn’t large enough to accommodate a Thanksgiving turkey, but a chicken will definitely fit.

Premier makes its 20-inch gas and electric ranges in both black and white.

4. Breville Smart Oven Pro

Credit: Breville

The Breville Smart Oven Pro is a solid alternative to an oven.

Dimensions: 18.5” x 14.5” x 11” (W x H x D)

Small kitchens can sometimes lack an oven, instead relying on a cooktop. Our research and testing show that the Breville Smart Oven Pro is a strong alternative to a full-sized oven. It’s powerful enough to bake a pan of bread or slow roast meat.

The Smart Oven Pro also helps take the guesswork out of toasting, presenting options for bagels, toast, and pizza on its LCD screen. While there are other toaster ovens that cost less, we think the Breville is a perfect addition to any tiny house kitchen.

Our testers really liked the fact that this Instant Pot can whip a hearty meal in no time. It’s user-friendly design lets an amateur cook roast spiralized squash in just seven minutes or make evenly cooked risotto in under half an hour.

8 and 9. Miele W1 compact washer and Miele T1 compact dryer

Credit: Reviewed / Jonathan Chan

Miele WWH860 and its accompanying dryer are the best compact laundry pair we've ever tested.

Dimensions: 23.5” x 25.375” x 33” (W x D x H)

While you can fit a washer and dryer in a bathroom or closet if you have the space, in Europe, it’s very common to have the washer and dryer near or in the kitchen. The design allows for a more efficient use of the limited wet wall space.

The Miele W1 is the best compact washer we’ve ever tested. Its stain-removal is unparalleled in the compact market. Also, it has specialized conveniences including detergent dispensers that automatically release the correct amount of soap based on the weight of your laundry.

The accompanying compact dryer, the Miele T1, is also amazing. Not only does it dry clothes well, but it has a special compartment for scented pods that perfume your laundry the perfect amount.